Kurir Go International magazine 006

we are recognised
What particularly separates the
Ministry of Defence and the Army
of Serbia from the rest, and by
which we are recognised, are the
fundamental changes towards
creating a modern European army, a partner of
other armies in ensuring peace, with full democratic
and civil control. The reform process was
initiated at the Ministry of Defence in 2008, following
adoption of the basic strategic document that
responses to contemporary security challenges.
The general strategic direction is further clari-
governing the functioning of the military and
special security agencies. With this, the Ministry
of Defence actually completed the entire workload
for the current stage of Serbia’s European
integration process, as was also stated by the
European Commission when it gave its opinion
last year. Moreover, we are aware that our work
we published the White Book of the Defence of
Serbia, which presents all the facts regarding issues
related to the defence of Serbia – something
that would have been completely unthinkable in
previous periods.
Professionalisation of the Army
Organizational changes within the Ministry of
Defence, aimed at full harmonisation with the
standards and solutions applied in other modern
countries, implied that those functions that do
not belong to military organizations (such as or-
infrastructure) be taken over by the civil structure
of the ministry. The Army General Staff HQ was
thereby given enough room to address the most
important element of the reform of the Serbian
Army: complete professionalisation. Since January
2011 the Serbian Army has had no more
national service conscripts, rather all tasks are
performed by professional soldiers, both women
and men. We also further strengthened the principle
of gender equality through the adoption of
the Action Plan for implementing UN Resolution
country in the Western Balkans and one of the
few countries throughout Europe, and with the
help of civil society.
Since 2001 Serbia has also had the University
of Defence, which has been incorporated into
the system of civilian universities. It comprises
the Military Medical Academy and the Military
> Marina Lopičić
TANJA
MIŠČEVIĆ:
WE ARE A
MEMBER
OF ALL
REGIONAL
INITIATIVES
IN THE FIELD
OF SECURITY
AND
ACTIVELY
PARTICIPATE
IN THEIR
WORK
Academy and is fully accredited in accordance with
the Bologna Process, with all levels of higher education
– bachelors, masters and doctoral studies.
International cooperation
At the same time, bilateral and multilateral mi-
tries
in the region, the most important countries
of the international community and international
security organizations. A network of bilateral
beyond Europe’s territory and certainly includes
all of our neighbours – a total of 60 countries. We
of security and actively participate in their work.
Since 2006 Serbia has also been a member of the
Partnership for Peace programme, which marks
the framework of our security cooperation with
NATO. Since September last year we have also had
our own mission to this organization, in order to
be as inclusive as possible when it comes to discussions
on global security. Last year we adopted
to continue our successful business of developing
and selling weapons and equipment. We have be-
exporter, realising business worth $1 billion in four
years - something the dedicated defence industry
of the former Yugoslavia couldn’t even boast of.
Our plans regarding international cooperation
are turned towards stronger participation in multinational
operations. We currently participate
Ivory Coast, Lebanon and Cyprus. Since just a
in EU crisis management missions, participating
in the ATLANTA mission on the coast of Somalia,
while in March the EU decided to begin discussions
with us on an agreement with the European
Defence Agency.
New system of values
of Defence has done a great job of reforming from
international institutions like the EU, the UN and
the OSCE. We are especially proud of the fact that
our citizens recognise everything we have done
so far, which is why we are the number one state
institution when it comes to citizens’ trust. In fact,
when we look at the results of these four years,
we can truly say that the Ministry of Defence has
peanisation
of Serbia and the introduction of a
new system of values.
> Jelena Obradoviić
“ ”
WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT OUR CITIZENS RECOGNISE
EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE SO FAR, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE THE NUMBER
ONE STATE INSTITUTION WHEN IT COMES TO CITIZENS’ TRUST
MAY 2012
29